Prince's Palace
The Grimaldi residence on the Rock
Arrive a little before noon for the changing of the guard; the state apartments open in the summer months.
Place du PalaisCeremonyPalace
Monaco-Ville & Le Rocher, Monaco
Ideal: 1 dayBest: Apr–OctPrice: Expensive
In 60 seconds
Monaco-Ville & Le Rocher in 60 seconds
The Rock is where Monaco began: a fortified headland the Grimaldis seized in 1297 and have ruled from ever since. The Prince's Palace still stands on its square, with the guard changing just before noon and cannon pointing out to sea; the state apartments open in summer. Narrow lanes run from there past ochre houses to Saint Nicholas Cathedral, where Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III are buried, and on to the Oceanographic Museum, built into the cliff by the scientist-prince Albert I with an aquarium in its foundations. Gardens along the cliff edge look down on Fontvieille, the district built out into the sea. It is quieter than Monte Carlo and very different in mood — walk up the ramps from the harbour, or take the bus.
Palace
Best for
- History
- Views
- Museums
Known for
- Prince's Palace
- Changing of the guard
- Oceanographic Museum
- Saint Nicholas Cathedral
Skip if
You have already seen the palace on a cruise stop — the Rock is compact and covered in a morning.
Your match
Choose a few travel interests and we will show how well Monaco-Ville & Le Rocher fits them. Choose interests
See
Must experience
The things that would make the trip incomplete without them.
Oceanographic Museum
Albert I's palace of the sea
Aquarium below, the prince's oceanographic collections above, and a rooftop terrace over the cliff.
Avenue Saint-MartinAquariumMuseum
Saint Nicholas Cathedral
White-stone cathedral of the princes
Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III lie in the ambulatory behind the altar.
Rue Colonel Bellando de CastroCathedral
Fontvieille
The district built out into the sea
A small harbour and the Princess Grace Rose Garden below the Rock.
FontvieilleGardensHarbour
Orientation
Neighbourhoods
How the city is actually divided, and what each part is for.
Monaco-Ville
The old town on the headland
Pedestrian lanes, souvenir shops and quiet corners between palace and museum.
Fontvieille
Reclaimed land beneath the Rock
Marina, stadium and gardens on land taken from the sea.
Stay
Where to stay
Areas rather than hotels — pick the right one and the rest follows.
La Condamine
ExpensiveThe harbour between the Rock and Monte Carlo
A walk from both halves of Monaco.
Walkable
Practical
Know before you go
- Getting up
- Walk the ramps from the harbour, or take the bus up to Place de la Visitation.
- Changing of the guard
- Daily just before noon on Place du Palais; come early for a place at the front.
- When to go
- Mornings, before cruise passengers arrive, or late afternoon.
- Taste locally
- Barbagiuan fritters, pissaladière and pan bagnat in the lanes and at the Condamine market.
Plan this trip — useful links
Context
History in 5 minutes
Enough to make what you are looking at legible.
- 1297
François Grimaldi takes the fortress on the Rock, disguised as a friar.
- 1910
Prince Albert I opens the Oceanographic Museum.
- 1956
Prince Rainier III marries Grace Kelly in the cathedral.
Further out
Nearby escapes
Worth a day if you have one to spare.
Monte Carlo
Casino and harbour
Monte Carlo has its own guide.
15 min on footLuxury
Èze
Perched village above the coast
A medieval eagle's nest with a cactus garden at the top.
20 min by busViewVillage